Ruins.EA

It allows to get into the affected computer.
It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy.
It changes system permissions.
It uses stealth techniques to avoid being detected by the user.
It uses anti-monitoring techniques in order to prevent it being detected by antivirus companies.
It does not spread automatically using its own means.

Affected platforms:

Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95

First detected on:

Oct. 12, 2006

Detection updated on:

Oct. 12, 2006

Statistics

No

Proactive protection:

Yes, using TruPrevent Technologies

Brief Description

Ruins.EA is a Trojan, which although seemingly inoffensive, can actually carry out attacks and intrusions.

It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy:
user's browsing habits.

It sends the gathered information to a remote user by any available means: email, FTP, etc.

It reduces the security level of the computer:
it changes system permissions, decreasing the security level.

It uses stealth techniques to avoid being detected by the user:

It uses techniques included in its code to hide itself while it is active.

It injects itself in running processes.

It deletes the original file from which it was run once it is installed on the computer.

It modifies system permissions in order to hide itself.

It uses several methods in order to avoid detection by antivirus companies:

Its code is encrypted and it is only decrypted when it is going to run. Because of this, its code is not legible through a memory dump.

Ruins.EA does not spread automatically using its own means. It needs an attacking user's intervention in order to reach the affected computer. The means of transmission used include, among others, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, email messages with attached files, Internet downloads, FTP, IRC channels, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks, etc.